Portable motorcycle shelter

ABSTRACT

Four collapsible poles form a portable motorcycle shelter. The shelter is supported preferably includes a fabric awning, roll-up side panels, and a light emitting diode (LED), supported by battery power, to illuminate the interior. The shelter is also comprised of reflective panels on the corners for safety, and is easily folded and carried on the motorcycle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/935,588, filed Feb. 4,2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to motorcycling accessories, and in particular to a portable motorcycle shelter. Motorcycle enthusiasts often travel long distances to attend rallies and other events, and during rainy weather, they often have trouble keeping their motorcycles dry when parked. Also, occasional roadside mechanical breakdowns can be challenging when trying to diagnose and repair the problem at night, or in the rain. A portable motorcycle shelter, capable of being set up over the parked motorcycle and providing a small lamp for nighttime maintenance and repair, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a portable motorcycle shelter. The shelter is supported by four collapsible poles and provides a fabric awning, roll-up side panels, and a light emitting diode (LED), supported by battery power, to illuminate the interior. The shelter is also comprised of reflective panels on the corners for safety, and is easily folded and carried on the motorcycle.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is included to provide a further understanding of the invention and is incorporated into and constitutes a part of the specification. It illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment with two side panels rolled up and one side panel partially rolled up, displaying the awning 10, the peak 10A, the poles 11, the side panels 12, the reflective panels 13, the LED light 16, and the flat bar 17.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment stored for transport, displaying the carrying case 14, and the handle 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a portable motorcycle shelter. The shelter is supported by four collapsible poles 11 and provides a fabric awning 10, roll-up side panels 12, and a light emitting diode (LED) light 16, supported by battery power, to illuminate the interior. The LED light 16 may be of any shape and affixed anywhere within the awning 10. The shelter is also comprised of reflective panels 13 on the corners for safety, and is easily folded and carried on the motorcycle.

The first exemplary embodiment is preferably rectangular at the base, with four collapsible poles 11 angling inward slightly from the corners, and a pyramid shaped awning 10 (specifically, a four-sided pyramid as shown). The awning 10 is supported by the collapsible poles 11, which are removable affixed thereto. The awning 10 may surround an X-shaped, collapsible frame. Four side panels 12 hang down from the sides of the awning and completely cover the sides of the shelter when lowered (equivalently, the four side panels 12 are of a length equal to the extended and installed length of the four collapsible poles 11. The side panels 12 may be individually rolled up, secured, and concealed beneath the edges of the awning 10 (generically, the side panels 12 are preferably rollable and securable). The rolled-up side panels 12 are secured beneath the edges of the awning 10 with hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, or a combination of these closures. When rolled down, each side panel 12 may be secured to the lower ends of the poles 11 with snaps. The shelter is preferably secured while on pavement or an alternative parking surface by attaching a flat bar 17 made of durable material to the bottom of the collapsible poles 11. The flat bar 17 is then held in place by the wheels of the motorcycle. Alternative security means include chains, bungee cords, or other durable line materials linked to or under the motorcycle. Generically, the flat bar 17 or other security linkage of the motorcycle to the collapsible poles 12 may be understood as securing means for securing the collapsible poles 11. Beneath the peak 10A of the awning 10, or at another location within the awning, is an LED light 16, which is powered by a replaceable battery, preferably a nine-volt battery. The LED light 16 may also be removable for use outside the shelter. At each upper corner of the awning 10 is a reflective panel 13. The overall dimensions of the shelter are preferably six feet high, eight feet long, and four feet wide.

The shelter may be collapsed and folded, the rolled up around the four collapsed poles 11 and stored in a cylindrical carrying case 14, which is provided. The shelter and, correspondingly, the case 14 and all of the components of the shelter, are preferably no longer than twelve to twenty inches in their largest dimensions when collapsed. The carrying case 14 may be carried by its handle 15, and easily stored on the motorcycle when the shelter is not in use. The carrying case 15 features a zipper, snaps, or a similar closure device, as well as straps with hook-and-loop fasteners to secure it to the motorcycle's handlebars.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user must remove the shelter from the carrying case 14, unroll it, extend the poles 11 and the frame, spread the awning 10 over the frame, and insert the upper tips of the poles 11 into the corners of the frame. The user may then roll up or unroll the side panels 12 as desired.

The awning 10, side panels 12, and carrying case 15 would preferably be manufactured from a durable, flexible fabric which is lightweight and water resistant, such as nylon. The LED lamp is preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material such as steel, aluminum alloy, or high-impact plastic, featuring frosted lenses which are preferably manufactured from a translucent, durable material such as an acrylic polymer. The poles 11, the frame, and the zipper and snaps on the carrying case 15 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material which is lightweight, such as aluminum alloy.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A portable motorcycle shelter comprising four collapsible poles; an awning; said awning being pyramid shaped; said awning being collapsible; said awning being covered in fabric; said awning being removably affixed to and supported by said four collapsible poles; each of said four collapsible poles being positioned at one of the corners of said awning; four side panels; said four side panels being made of fabric; said four side panels being affixed to said awning so as to hang down from said awning; each of said four side panels being positioned at one of the edges of said awning; each of said four side panels being capable of being individually rolled up, secured, and concealed beneath said awning; said four side panels being of a length equal to the extended and installed length of said four collapsible poles; said four side panels being capable of being secured to said four collapsible poles.
 2. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 1 further comprising a light; said light being battery powered; said light being affixed within said awning.
 3. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 1 wherein said four side panels are, when unrolled, capable of being affixed to said four collapsible polls.
 4. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 2 wherein said four side panels are, when unrolled, capable of being affixed to said four collapsible polls.
 5. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 1 further comprising a case; said case having a maximum largest dimension in the range of twelve to twenty inches; and said awning, said four side panels, and said four collapsible poles being capable of being stored within said case when collapsed.
 6. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 2 further comprising a case; said case having a maximum largest dimension in the range of twelve to twenty inches; and said awning, said four side panels, and said four collapsible poles being capable of being stored within said case when collapsed.
 7. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 3 further comprising a case; said case having a maximum largest dimension in the range of twelve to twenty inches; and said awning, said four side panels, and said four collapsible poles being capable of being stored within said case when collapsed.
 8. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 4 further comprising a case; said case having a maximum largest dimension in the range of twelve to twenty inches; and said awning, said four side panels, and said four collapsible poles being capable of being stored within said case when collapsed.
 9. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of reflective panels; said plurality of reflective panels being affixed to the exterior of said awning.
 10. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of reflective panels; said plurality of reflective panels being affixed to the exterior of said awning.
 11. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of reflective panels; said plurality of reflective panels being affixed to the exterior of said awning.
 12. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of reflective panels; said plurality of reflective panels being affixed to the exterior of said awning.
 13. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of reflective panels; said plurality of reflective panels being affixed to the exterior of said awning.
 14. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of reflective panels; said plurality of reflective panels being affixed to the exterior of said awning.
 15. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of reflective panels; said plurality of reflective panels being affixed to the exterior of said awning.
 16. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of reflective panels; said plurality of reflective panels being affixed to the exterior of said awning.
 17. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 1 further comprising a securing means for securing said four collapsible poles.
 18. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 2 further comprising a securing means for securing said four collapsible poles.
 19. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 9 further comprising a securing means for securing said four collapsible poles.
 20. The portable motorcycle shelter of claim 16 further comprising a securing means for securing said four collapsible poles. 